Apparatus for handling hay



(No Model.)

w T.POTTER.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING HAY.

3 Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS POTTER, OF SWANSEA, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING HAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,326, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed June 10, 1890. Serial No. 354,929. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, THOMAS POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Swansea, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Handling Hay; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for handling loads of hay and other materials; and its object is to facilitate the hoisting and dumping of the load at the desired place in the barn or elsewhere.

It consists in certain constructions and arrangements of parts, all as hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a barn, partly broken away to disclose my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a section of the carrier and elevated track.

In the upper part of the barn I arrange a track A, composed of two parallel rails sus pended from the rafters by hangers a, and leaving between them a clear and unobstructed space from one end to the other. A pair of trucks B, each composed of two flan ged wheels I), mounted on an axle, supports a frame 0, comprising a horizontal bar 0 and two or more hangers c, which depend between the rails of the track. In the lower ends of the hangers is journaled a horizontal shaft D, on which are secured a Windlass-drum d and a large pulley-wheel cl. On the margin of this wheel is formed or secured a ratchet d with which engages a detent-pawl E. A cord e is attached to the pawl and runs over the bar 0 to the floor of the barn, so that the pawl can be lifted away from the ratchet when necessary. A lateral bent arm 0 extending from the frame, serves as a guard for the wheel 61'.

The frame and the trucks constitute a carriage adapted to move on the rails, and thus carry the Windlass to any point along the track. In order to move it, a rope F is attached to each end of the bar a, and runs over a block f down to the door or to some other convenient point for applying power, which is done, preferably, by means of a team. The blocks f beingat the extreme ends of thetrack, the carriage can thus be easily drawn to any desired point.

To illustrate the operation of my invention I have shown it applied to the hoisting and conveying of a load of hay, which may be bound upon a removable rack H by ropes K, preferably arranged to be released when it is desired to dump the load. Arrived at the place of unloading, the wagon is brought under the Windlass, and the ends of two ropes L, wound upon the drum d, are hooked or otherwise secured to the bight of the ropes K. The team is then hitched to a fall M, which runs under a block m, fastened to the floor of the barn, and thence up to and several times around the pulley-wheel d, to which it is secured. The guard c keeps this rope from coming off the pulley. Upon starting the team the-wheel d will be revolved, winding up the ropes L, and hoisting the rack and load off the wagon. When lifted to the proper height, where it is held by the pawl E engaging with the ratchet 01 the load can be run over either of the bays in the barn by applying power to one of the ropes F. When over the right place, the load is dumped. The carriage having been run back over the wagon, the rack can be lowered by lifting the pawl E by means of the cord e, when the weight of the rack will unwind the ropes L.

My invention is simple, easily constructed and kept in repair, and readily operated by any one. Its advantages to farmers and others who have occasion to handle heavy loads is so apparent that they need not be enlarged upon.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-' 1. The combination, with an elevated track composed of two parallel rails, of a carriage consisting of a pair of trucks supporting a depending frame, a horizontal shaft journaled in said frame, a drum and a wheel secured to the shaft, a ratchet and detent-pawl for bold in g the wheel, hoisting-ropes wound upon the drum,' and a fall wound upon the wheel, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the rails A, of a pair of trucks Radapted to run 011 the same, a bar a, suspended from the trucks and extending between the rails, hangers c, dependingfrom the bar, a shaft D, jonrnaled in the hangers and carrying a drum (Z and wheel cl, a ratchet d on the margin of the wheel, a detent-pawl E engaging therewith, a cord 6, for releasing the pawl, hoisting-ropes L, fall M,

and ropes F, for moving the carriage, sulstantially as described. 10

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS POTTER. \Vitnesses:

CHARLES L. FOOTE, ABBA N. LINCOLN. 

